Faculty of Pharmacy

Utilizing Juntendo's Clinical Expertise to Cultivate True Pharmacy Professionals

Juntendo University originated in 1838 as a medical school in Edo's Yagenbori district and has embraced "Jin" as its founding philosophy. "Jin" embodies compassion and empathy for others. For nearly two centuries, we have provided holistic education to nurture individuals capable of practicing medicine, health, and welfare by understanding not only the physical but also the mental well-being of both the ailing and the healthy. In the Faculty of Pharmacy established at our university, we aim to closely collaborate with other faculties such as the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health Care and Nursing. Our goal is to train pharmacists capable of appropriately utilizing pharmaceuticals and health-functional materials for individuals in both illness and health within the global community, as well as researchers who can develop such products in response to societal needs.

Practical Interprofessional Education Enabled by a Comprehensive Health University

Learning alongside future medical professionals, such as students from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health Care and Nursing, who embody compassion and empathy, pharmacy students acquire the skills to fulfill their professional roles within team-based healthcare. By understanding health and illness and systematically studying drug therapies suited to each condition, students experience diverse clinical settings and acquire advanced clinical practice capabilities.

Medical Pharmacy Research Based on Juntendo's Clinical Expertise

With faculty members possessing internationally top-level research capabilities, students gain a mindset for pharmaceutical research grounded in exceptional expertise. They can experience practical and sustained medical pharmacy research that bridges basic research to clinical applications.

Building Strong Foundations for Passing the National Exam with Guidance from Experienced Faculty

With seasoned faculty experienced in pharmaceutical education and well-versed in creating questions for the pharmacist national exam, the Faculty of Pharmacy, led by the Pharmaceutical Education Research Center, offers robust support tailored to each student's level of understanding. Through meticulous guidance, we ensure students graduate within six years and pass the national exam on the first attempt.

Unified Curriculum for Practical Hospital Training

Aiming to develop clinical competencies, students gain experience in a wide range of clinical practice education, from advanced medical care, emergency medicine, geriatric care, mental health, and cancer treatment to community-integrated healthcare in collaboration with local pharmacist associations. This education is facilitated by six university hospitals affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, each offering distinct functions in advanced healthcare.

Post-Graduation Career Development Made Possible by Juntendo University

Pharmacists are professionals who contribute to team-based healthcare as experts in medication. The Faculty of Pharmacy is preparing to offer a postgraduate education program for pharmacists, leveraging its graduate school to train highly capable clinical pharmacists through a structured three-step program:

Step 1: Becoming a generalist
Step 2: Developing professionalism
Step 3: Earning a doctorate and excelling as a faculty member

The Faculty of Pharmacy has established a Career Support Committee to provide comprehensive career education and job placement support. Dedicated faculty and staff collaborate to assist students with national examination preparation, career guidance, job placement support, employment counseling, internship programs, various career-related seminars, and outreach to potential employers. We also offer individualized consultations to address any concerns or difficulties students may have regarding their job search, providing tailored advice and guidance.

Students who complete the required graduation credits will qualify to take the national pharmacist examination. Upon passing, graduates can pursue careers at hospitals and medical facilities, including Juntendo University-affiliated hospitals, as well as in the healthcare industry. For those wishing to deepen their expertise in specific fields, advancing to graduate school is also an available option.

A New and Well-Equipped Urayasu-Hinode Campus

Established in April 2022, the Urayasu Campus houses the Faculties of Health Science, Health Data Science, and Pharmacy. With state-of-the-art education and research facilities, the campus offers an enriching environment for study and campus life.

Second Year Student

My Own Experience of Being Helped by Medicine Became Two Dreams at Juntendo
Refusing to Choose Between Research and Clinical Practice—A Path Alongside Six Affiliated Hospitals

For six years, from junior high school through high school, migraines and orthostatic dysregulation limited me to attending school only two or three days a week. Then, a single injection of a new medication changed everything. I was almost completely freed from the fear of migraine attacks, and going to school became much easier. Through my own body, I learned just how profoundly one medicine can transform a person’s daily life.

However, we never found a medication that effectively treated my orthostatic dysregulation. This inspired me to research new treatments for patients facing the same condition. At the same time, pharmacy education and hospital pharmacists are in short supply in my home prefecture of Oita. After moving to the Kanto region, I learned that Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital has a specialist headache clinic. This made me keenly aware once again of regional disparities in healthcare.

I therefore want to learn as much as possible at university and bring that knowledge back to my community. I do not want to give up either research or clinical practice. With its advanced research facilities and numerous affiliated hospitals, Juntendo gives me the opportunity to pursue both dreams simultaneously.

In the summer of my first year, I observed the entire process of preparing and administering anticancer drugs at an affiliated hospital. Seeing this made me appreciate the profound responsibility carried by hospital pharmacists. I have not yet found the path that is uniquely right for me—but I believe I can find it here.

Third Year Student

I Once Lacked the Courage to Study Abroad—Then I Decided to Cross the Ocean
A Faculty Advisor’s Words Opened the Door to My Future

I had always dreamed of working with pharmaceuticals overseas. However, with the demanding curriculum in the Faculty of Pharmacy, I worried about whether studying abroad was really possible and could not bring myself to take action.

The turning point came during a meeting with my faculty advisor. At Juntendo, one faculty member is assigned to every five or six students, and regular meetings and group meals are held. Because of this close relationship, my advisor knew that I was interested in going abroad. “If you want to take on this challenge, I think now is the right time,” my advisor told me. Those words gave me the encouragement I needed. My advisor also introduced me to someone I could rely on locally. I had thought I would have to manage everything by myself, so I never expected such generous support. Without that connection, I do not think my study-abroad experience in Canada would have become a reality.

Looking back, in high school I simply completed whatever I was told to do. Since entering Juntendo, however, I have established a competitive karuta club and organized an experiential learning activity using a medicinal herb garden at the after-school care program where I work part-time. I have learned to take initiative. This growth was possible because I had people who understood my dream and encouraged me to pursue it.

Second Year Student

A Vague Dream Became a Firm Decision to Become a Hospital Pharmacist
Experiencing the Reality of Pharmacy Through a Visit to an Affiliated Hospital

In the summer of my first year, I visited one of Juntendo University’s affiliated hospitals. The moment I saw pharmacists working alongside doctors and nurses to treat patients on the wards, my vague aspiration to become a hospital pharmacist turned into a concrete goal: “I want to work here.” I had been interested in medicine since my younger brother began taking medication for asthma. However, that visit was the first time I could clearly imagine myself working as a pharmacist in the future.

That experience also shapes how I approach my daily classes. In psychology lectures, for example, our instructors explain, “You will need this in situations like these when you work in a pharmacy or hospital.” They show us how what we are learning connects to actual clinical settings. Because of this, the time I spend studying at my desk feels like another step toward my dream.

Before enrolling, I imagined that studying pharmacy would mean doing nothing but studying and that it would be extremely demanding. In reality, having classmates who share the same dream gives me the motivation to persevere. Exams in high school felt competitive, but here, we teach one another the subjects we are good at and help each other overcome our weaknesses. Seeing clinical practice in my first year and working toward my dream while learning alongside my classmates are why I am glad I chose Juntendo.

Third Year Student

Once Shy Around Strangers, I Now Stand Before Patients with a Smile
How Hospital Ward Experience from My First Year Changed Both the Meaning of Learning and Who I Am

When my grandmother was hospitalized with cancer, I admired the pharmacists who visited her hospital room. I wanted to become a healthcare professional who could not only help treat illness but also provide emotional support. With that goal in mind, I chose Juntendo University, which has six affiliated hospitals.

I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to enter a hospital ward in my first year. During a nursing practicum, I spent time beside a patient, but at first, I did not know what to say. Eventually, I gathered my courage and asked, “Is there anything I can help you with?” When the patient replied, “You’re working hard,” I gained a clear picture of the kind of pharmacist I wanted to become.

I also saw long-term patients and nurses exchanging casual conversation. Through these moments, I experienced firsthand—not through a textbook—the important role healthcare professionals play in providing emotional support. When I tell friends attending other universities about it, they are surprised that I could have such an experience in my first year.

In high school, I was shy and found it difficult to speak to people I did not know. My experience in the hospital ward changed me. Now, as a member of the Public Relations Committee, I actively approach prospective students and share what makes this university special.

Second-Year Student

Learning That Pharmacy Is About More Than Medicine Changed the Meaning of My Studies
In addition to my classes, I serve as vice chair of the committee organizing activities for new students, belong to the badminton club, and work part-time. Every day after class is filled with things to do.

What surprised me after enrolling was that we could visit a hospital beginning in our first year. During a nursing-care experience, I was also able to see patient care firsthand. It was the first time I truly realized that studying pharmacy is not only about medicine—I am preparing to become one of the professionals involved in healthcare.

That experience has given a clear sense of purpose to what I study now. Even when studying organic chemistry and biochemistry, remembering that this knowledge will ultimately help patients somehow motivates me to keep working hard despite my busy schedule.

Third-Year Student

Running with Teammates Who Have Different Dreams Broadens My View of the World
My teammates in the track and field club come from medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, and we all have different academic backgrounds and dreams for the future.

I love the time we spend training together on the same field and talking about what we hope to do in the future. Their perspectives, which are different from my own, often surprise me and make me think, “If I had stayed only within the Faculty of Pharmacy, I probably would never have discovered this world.”

On days when I have practical training, my routine is to use the spare time before club activities to finish my reports all at once.

After exercising, my mind feels refreshed, and I can begin the next day’s classes feeling energized. I am busy, but this daily rhythm feels just right. By encountering so many different values and perspectives, I am gradually beginning to see the path I want to take.

Third-Year Student

“If It Doesn’t Exist, Create It.” One Step Can Change the Future
There was no futsal club in the Faculty of Pharmacy, so I decided, “If it doesn’t exist, I’ll create one myself,” and started the club. As members of the Faculty’s inaugural class, we have no precedents to follow—but that also gives us the freedom to take on new challenges. Above all, there are professors who encourage us by saying, “That sounds great—let’s do it,” and friends who are willing to help. I believe this supportive atmosphere is one of Juntendo University’s greatest strengths.

As chair of the Community Partnership Committee, I also participated in a medication consultation event held by the Urayasu City Pharmacists Association. Speaking directly with local residents gave me the opportunity to see how the knowledge I have gained can help others. I realized that pharmacists are professionals who support people in their everyday lives. This discovery has given greater meaning to what I learn each day.

Instead of focusing on why something cannot be done, I think about how it can be achieved. Juntendo provides an environment that naturally fosters this kind of mindset.

Nakai-san, Student

Grandfather’s memory inspires aspiration in drug discovery
The fact that my grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer changed my life. From the frustration of not being able to do anything, a passion for developing new drugs was born, and although I had never been interested in medicine before, I came to want to become a pharmacist who could help reduce patients’ suffering. I chose Juntendo University because it has six affiliated hospitals and offers opportunities to gain on-site experience from the first year. When I actually visited a hospital, I was surprised to see how broad a pharmacist’s responsibilities are. They not only hand out medications to patients but are also involved in clinical trials and new drug development, which made me feel the great potential for the future.

In high school, I served as captain of the soccer club’s second team, where I worked with 150 teammates to plan training menus. What I realized through that experience was that “the voices from the field are indispensable in creating something better.” That is why I decided to pursue a career as a researcher who engages in cancer drug development by making use of clinical experience. At Juntendo, there are also interprofessional classes with the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Nursing, where I have been learning the importance of team-based medical care. With the advisor system, professors are always approachable, and studying together with friends deepens my understanding. For me, Juntendo is a place where I can strive forward alongside my peers. Keeping the memory of my grandfather close to my heart, I want to continue walking step by step on the path to becoming a pharmacist.

Miyamoto-san, Student

Shared goals foster in pharmacy studies
I want to be of help to others. That desire was the starting point of my decision to become a pharmacist. One major reason I chose Juntendo University was the presence of Juntendo Hospital, which provides cutting-edge medical care. What surprised me most after enrolling was the change in the learning environment. Up through high school, studying for entrance exams was about competition, but at university, the atmosphere is: “Let’s all support one another as we work toward passing the national exam.” I clearly remember the professors telling us at the time of admission, “This is not about competition—let’s study together in cooperation.”

We often study in groups of about five. Each of us has our own strengths; I am usually the one asking questions, while some are good at chemistry and others at physics, and we teach each other. When friends ask me questions, my own understanding deepens, and I also discover new points I had not thought of. In the track and field club, I interact with students from various faculties. Through this, I realized that even medical students are not as knowledgeable about pharmaceuticals as those in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, which reaffirmed the importance of my chosen field.

The professors kindly respond when I email them, and they take the time to explain things thoroughly if I ask questions after class. In the past, I used to cram at the last minute, but now I make study plans by working backward from the exam period. Preparing for entrance exams involved long hours of studying alone, but at university, I found peers who share the same goals and walk the path together. With not only study but also a sense of unity—“let’s all do our best together”—there is no obstacle we cannot overcome.

Kumagai-san, Student

Personal experience inspires pursuit of patient safety
When I was in elementary school, I developed a high fever from influenza. After taking Tamiflu, I experienced consciousness disturbances and had to be taken to the hospital—not just once, but twice. This experience became the reason I decided to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist. Side effects of medication can happen to anyone, even if rare. I want to minimize that risk as much as possible. Above all, I feel it is essential to provide clear explanations to patients and their families. With this conviction, I chose to study at Juntendo University, which emphasizes team-based medical care.

What surprised me most after entering university was the strong support from the faculty. In organic chemistry classes, instructors check our level of understanding as the lessons progress. Even when a student reaches out with a question individually, professors kindly provide detailed answers—even on weekends. Studying pharmacy means taking the knowledge of high school chemistry and biology and examining it in greater detail and depth. Organic chemistry, in particular, deals with an invisible world, requiring strong visualization skills. My experience in high school, where I conducted research on squamous cell carcinoma as part of a Super Science High School program, was invaluable and inspired me to pursue cancer research further at the university level.

The Urayasu-Hinode campus offers quiet lounges ideal for independent study, providing an efficient learning environment. As a member of the “Juntendo community,” I believe it is important to meet the dedication of my professors with the right mindset. Drawing on my personal experiences, I continue to deepen my studies each day so that I can become a pharmacist who protects patient safety.

Okamura-san, Student

Learning pharmacy, motivated by community healthcare needs
My goal is to become a hospital pharmacist who can also contribute to community-based health support. In the second semester of my first year, I took the course Practical Medical Volunteering, where I had the opportunity to hear directly from pharmacists working in Hokkaido and remote islands. Unlike in urban areas, where pharmacies and pharmacists are more accessible, in underserved regions a single pharmacist must shoulder great responsibility, and strong communication skills to convey the correct use of medicines are essential. Through these classes, I also gained a clearer picture of the many different roles pharmacists can play, which further strengthened my motivation to study specialized subjects such as pharmacology.

Even in chemistry-related courses, which I once felt uneasy about, I am gradually gaining confidence thanks to the professors’ attentive support. I also truly appreciate the way the faculty proactively reaches out to us and makes sure to look after each student individually. Even my two-hour commute from Enoshima has now become valuable time for studying and conversing with friends. Spending my days in a sunlit campus building, sharing ideas and learning together with peers as we strive toward our dreams, has become a campus life that exceeds my expectations. Immersed in Juntendo’s culture of valuing human connections, I continue walking the path toward becoming a pharmacist dedicated to community healthcare.

Student

Practical training and teamwork shape future career path
From my first year, I had the opportunity to visit hospitals and observe the wide range of responsibilities pharmacists take on. Beyond dispensing medications, they are involved in clinical trials, new drug development, and play vital roles as members of healthcare teams. Seeing pharmacists at work firsthand gave me a clearer vision of my own future and greatly increased my motivation to learn.

In addition to classes and practical training, I lead a full and rewarding student life—working part-time in the evenings and practicing with the volleyball club several times a week. Through my part-time job, I have also learned professional manners through customer service, which has changed the way I interact with others.

Student

Balancing studies and athletics with renewed focus
Between classes, I take short breaks in the Learning Commons. By consciously resetting my mind, I am able to maintain focus throughout the day.

The track and field club includes students from multiple faculties, and we often train together after classes. Last year, I even took on the challenge of the NAHA Marathon. Supporting one another as teammates, I was able to finish the race and experience a true sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Studying and club activities require entirely different kinds of concentration. During practice after classes, I make a conscious effort to switch gears, refreshing both mind and body. This allows me to approach the next day’s studies with a positive mindset.

Student

Independence and time management shape daily student life routine
Since starting to live on my own, I have developed the ability to manage everything by myself. In the morning, I finish laundry, cooking, and cleaning within two hours, and in the evening, I prepare for the next day and tidy up as soon as I get home. My policy is to “do everything while I still have the energy,” because once I sit down, I can’t get moving again.

Even with a busy schedule of classes, part-time work, club activities, and serving as a manager for the futsal team, I enjoy my days in my own way. Friends are often surprised, saying I’m “good at managing time,” and my family has praised me for “living independently and taking care of everything.” It makes me happy to know that my efforts are being recognized.